Bioarchaeology to bring back scents from extinct plants - Review

The union of classical archaeology with biology, in general, and molecular biology, in particular, is reaching goals that were considered impossible just a few years ago. That has been possible thanks to the development of technologies like first-, second- and third-generation sequencing of nucleic acids. Among bioarchaeology challenges is de-extinction of ancient species. That represents huge technological challenges. Ethical issues and excessive costs should be also taken into consideration. So far, it has been possible to clone ancient genes, like the ones encoding scents from extinct plants. They include Wynberg conebush (Leucadendron grandiflorum), Maui’s mountain-hibiscus (Hibiscadelphus wilderianus) and Falls-of-the-Ohio scurfpea (Orbexilum stipulatum). Thus, synthetic biology has been exploited to clone genes encoding enzymes catalyzing biosynthesis of scent molecules, like terpenes. They have been expressed in yeasts, producing ancient fragrances. This is just an exciting example of the potential of this technology.